Last March 6, 2026, the DTI RAPID Growth Project has completed and turned over the new farm-to-market road in the challenging, sloping terrain of Maragusan, Davao de Oro—providing highland farmers with safer and more reliable access to their hubs and markets.

Stretching 1.5 kilometers from Barangay Cambagang to Barangay Pamintaran, the Php 30.4-million concrete road is expected to benefit an estimated 21,000 community residents, and serve 115 hectares of cacao farms, 110 hectares of coffee farms, 145 hectares of coconut and banana cardava farms, and 90 hectares of various vegetables and crop farms across the area.

The new road significantly improves the transportation of agricultural products through the previously difficult terrain, making it easier for both farmers and processors to move goods. For residents, it also means safer travel and shorter travel times.

“In the past, when you climb the area, you have to be really careful when stepping on rocks. I would even use my knees, elbows… but now [with the road], it’s so much easier,” shared Cambagang Barangay Captain Jimmy Ambasan in Bisaya during his appreciation speech.

The Local Government Unit of Maragusan, which provided 5% of the project cost as its counterpart, also reaffirmed its commitment to maintain and improve the road through the construction of slope protection components and the installation of warning signs.

The turnover ceremony was attended by the RAPID Growth Project National Director Flora D. Politud-Gabunales, DTI 11 Regional Director and Project Deputy Director Romeo Castañaga, DILG 11 Regional Director Abdullah Matalam, Project Manager Mysol Booc, DTI-Davao de Oro OIC-Provincial Director Art Hermoso, and the residents and farmers of Maragusan led by Mayor Cesar Colina, Cambagang Barangay Captain Jimmy Ambasan, and Maragusan Multipurpose Cooperative Manager Armando Escuadro.